Chapter 53: SELF ICE-OLATION

Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 53 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. This title, as you know, is a pun from the phrase "self isolation" thanks to the coronavirus outbreak. And, I've decided to have Tristan and Hillary's adventure today take place at Snowtop Mountain, the same place where Ash and his friends went off to to take a picture of the legendary Pokémon Articuno. Please feel free to read and review responsibly.

TEASER: Tristan and Hillary want to see the legendary Pokémon Articuno, but when a blizzard separates Tristan and Pikachu, it's a race against the clock and the wind to get them both back together as they find themselves stranded on a ledge of ice on Snowtop Mountain!

(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard at the beginning of "The Chikorita Rescue"))

Our heroes are still on their way to the Johto League, but today, as they get closer to Olivine City and the next Gym, they arrive in the vicinity of Snowtop Mountain, which is known for its cold climates, the world's highest Pokémon Center, and a very familiar legendary friend.

"Brrr!" shivered Hillary as she and Tristan walked in the snow. "I haven't been this cold since the time we slept in the icy mountains near Violet City."

Togepi and Pikachu shivered in agreement.

"Me too," agreed Tristan. "I never expected a place as cold as this, but the PokéGear said it's there."

(Music Cue: The Moon Stone)

Presently, they felt some snowflakes falling from the sky.

"Hey, look!" said Hillary. "It's snowing!"

"But that's impossible," replied Tristan. "It can't be snowing because there's not a cloud in the sky."

Then, they both saw a silhouette flying high above them. It had a long, thin streamer-like tail, and it glistened as it flew by.

"I wonder what that is," said Tristan.

"Maybe we should check it out," suggested Hillary. "It is an adventure, after all."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" said Tristan as he, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi all ran to try and catch up to whatever it was that was flying above them.

But little did they know that it was a familiar Pokémon that they had befriended early on their journey.

As they continued on, the wind began to blow harder, and as it did, the air grew colder and colder.

"It's freezing!" shivered Hillary. "I never expected the wind to pick up this fast!"

"Me neither," replied Tristan. "I think we'd better find some shelter from this cold until it settles down."

"Hey, look!" said Hillary. "There's a Pokémon Center right over there!"

"Great, let's go!"

And they dashed to the Pokémon Center posthaste.

Nurse Joy saw them shiver as they entered and the wind blew in.

Quickly, they closed the door to keep the cold air out.

"Oh, my, just look at you!" gasped Nurse Joy. "You must be freezing! Are you all right?"

"We are now," shivered Tristan and Hillary.

Pikachu and Togepi shivered in agreement.

"Why don't I make some hot soup for you?" suggested Nurse Joy. "That should help warm you up."

A few moments later, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were all enjoying bowls of nice hot soup.

"This is really good, Nurse Joy," smiled Tristan.

"And hot," added Hillary. "This'll warm up us in no time."

Tristan looked up at the ceiling as he thought.

"What's up, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"I was just wondering what we saw flying in the sky shortly before we came here," replied Tristan.

"You don't mean the thing that we followed, do you?"

Tristan nodded. "Something about it seems vaguely familiar to me."

"But what?"

"Well, I'm not sure," said Tristan. "It had a long, thin tail, and it waved it gracefully as it flew."

Hmm, thought Hillary. Now that he mentions it, I believe I've seen that before, too. She opened up her backpack, took out her Pokédex, and pressed a few buttons. She had found an image of a Pokémon with blue plumage and showed it to him. "Hey, Tristan, is this it?"

Tristan gasped. "That's it! That's the Pokémon we saw!"

Hillary pushed a button on her Pokédex and it read the entry.

"Articuno, the Freeze Pokémon. This legendary Pokémon, with wings like thin sheets of ice, is believed to possess the ability to freeze water vapor and create snow."

"I wonder if it was Articuno that made it snow earlier," said Hillary.

"It sure is possible," replied Tristan, "especially considering how cold it is here." He quickly finished his soup. "All right, my mind's made up. I'm gonna go find Articuno! Come on, Pikachu, let's go!" And he and Pikachu ran out of the Pokémon Center.

"Tristan, wait!" called Hillary. "You can't go out there dressed like that!"

But it was too late, for he and Pikachu had already left.

"I have to follow them," said Hillary to herself. "Who knows what trouble they'll get into."

Presently, Nurse Joy handed Hillary two pairs of snow pants and two heavy winter coats. "These should keep you both warm."

"Thanks, Nurse Joy," said Hillary as she and Togepi ran out of the Pokémon Center and followed Tristan and Pikachu.

"Be careful out in that bitter cold!" called Nurse Joy.

Meanwhile as the snow flew, Tristan and Pikachu came to a statue.

"I wonder what this statue is for," said Tristan to himself. "This must be really special."

"Tristan, there you are!"

Tristan and Pikachu turned around to see Hillary running towards him.

"You should know better than to go out in the cold in these clothes," said Hillary. "Here, put these on."

"Thanks, sis," replied Tristan as he put on his winter clothes. "I didn't mean to make you worry."

"Yeah, I understand," said Hillary. "You're adventurous, so it's understandable, and I'm sure Articuno wouldn't mind us finding it. Hey, what's with this statue?"

"I'm not sure," replied Tristan. "But whatever it is, it must be important."

Nurse Joy came with the answer just seconds later. "Well, if you're really interested in the legends of Snowtop Mountain, I'll tell you all about it."

"Sure, we're all ears," replied Tristan and Hillary together.

Pikachu and Togepi nodded in agreement.

(Music Cue: The Pokémon Castle)

"Twelve hundred years ago, three travelers came here, but were soon stranded," explained Nurse Joy. "They were freezing, and had no way to get up or down the mountain. But suddenly, an Articuno appeared and brought them to safety. They then carved this statue you see here to thank and honor Articuno."

Tristan and Hillary were awestruck at the story Nurse Joy was telling.

"It is also said that Articuno fly from one nest to another," continued Nurse Joy, "in the coldest, snowiest, and highest mountains. They wrote about their experiences in a diary to help them and everyone else learn about the legends here."

"Then it can't just be a coincidence," said Tristan. "Articuno has to be here, and I'm sure we'll see it if we just climb to the top of Snowtop Mountain."

"Now hold on," Hillary cautioned him. "We don't know the first thing about ice climbing, and there's no way we can get to the top of the mountain, especially if it's as slippery and snowy as Nurse Joy says it is."

"Well then, we'll just have to be extra careful when we climb Snowtop Mountain and find Articuno," said Tristan, who was now full of determination. "What do you say we find it together?"

"There's no stopping Tristan when he gets like this," said Hillary to herself. "All right, Tristan, you've convinced me. Let's go."

"That's the spirit!"

Just then, heavy snow fell followed by a huge gust of wind.

Tristan and Hillary held on to Pikachu and Togepi, respectively as they shielded them from the cold winds and snow.

"Boy, that's cold," shivered Hillary. "Maybe we should rethink our decision."

"But I just know Articuno's out there!" protested Tristan.

"Let's not take any chances, so let's get back inside the Pokémon Center!" insisted Nurse Joy. "These conditions are perfect enough for a blizzard to take shape."

"What?!" gasped Hillary.

(Music Cue: A Formidable Opponent Appears)

But before they could take a step back to the Pokémon Center, an even bigger gust of wind blew, causing Tristan to lose his grip on Pikachu. "Pikachu!" he cried as he ran after it.

"Tristan, wait, come back!" cried Hillary.

But it was no use, for Tristan had already disappeared. He had to save his friend.

"This is bad," said Hillary. "Tristan and Pikachu will get lost and freeze from that blizzard if we don't find them and fast."

"Then let's take my snowmobile," suggested Nurse Joy. "We'll cover much more ground, and we'll find them much faster that way."

"Okay, let's go," agreed Hillary.

Tristan was still running after Pikachu as fast as his legs would carry him. Pretty soon, he lost sight of it. He frantically looked all around. "Pikachu, where are you?" he called "Pikachu!" Just then, he saw Pikachu's ears sticking out from a pile of snow. "Pikachu!" he said excitedly as he pulled Pikachu out of the snow pile, but by using his bare hands, he felt extremely cold from the snow. He tried to hold Pikachu as tightly as he could to share the body heat.

But unfortunately, the strongest gust of wind yet blew, causing Tristan to fall to the ground and Pikachu to fly out of his hands, sending it skyward!

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan. "Pikachu!" He tried to look all around for it, but he couldn't see it anywhere. There's only one thing for me to do. I'll have to climb Snowtop Mountain. And he ran as fast as he could through the wind and snow straight toward the huge mountain.

A few minutes later, he reached the base of Snowtop Mountain. "I must save Pikachu," he said to himself. "But what can I do to climb up?" Then he had an idea. He got his rope and ice ax out of his backpack and started climbing.

Presently, he heard a voice coming from higher up the mountain desperately calling for help.

(Music Cue: Desperate Situation 1997-1998 (as heard in "Two Hits and a Miss"))

Tristan knew that voice. "That's Pikachu!" he gasped in shock. He began to climb faster despite the slippery slope, strong winds, and heavy snow. He had to save it before it was too late. "I'm coming, Pikachu!"

The voice got louder as Tristan climbed higher and higher.

Presently, Tristan saw a familiar yellow silhouette dangling on the edge of a small platform of ice.

"Pikachu!" said Tristan. "Try to hang on!"

Pikachu nodded as it tried to hang on to the ledge of ice.

A moment later, Tristan climbed up to the platform and managed to haul Pikachu up. He held it close to him. "Are you okay, Pikachu?" he asked.

Pikachu shivered, but nodded.

"I'm glad," said Tristan. "I was afraid I'd lost you."

Pikachu gave a weak, but happy reply.

"I can't believe we managed to get separated from Hillary and Nurse Joy. Now that's what I call being ice-olated."

Pikachu didn't take much notice to Tristan's joke, but it nodded in agreement.

"Now we have to find a way off the mountain. The only question is how do we do it?"

(Music Cue: Raid! (as heard in "Freeze Frame"))

Presently, a flock of brown avian Pokémon descended on him and Pikachu.

"That's a flock of Spearow!" gasped Tristan.

Sure enough, that's what it was, for they had seen Tristan and Pikachu, and proceeded to attack them.

"Pikachu, give them a Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.

Pikachu jumped and launched a powerful yellow bolt of electricity at the approaching flock, but it wasn't enough to keep them away as they still flew toward it and Tristan.

"That Thunderbolt didn't scare them off!" gasped Tristan.

At that instant, they started pecking Tristan and Pikachu repeatedly.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" cried Tristan. "Stop that pecking!"

Pikachu, being cold already, felt the extra pain from Spearow pecking it.

"Hey, leave us alone!" demanded Tristan. "We didn't bother you!"

Unfortunately, Pikachu had been pushed back to the edge of the edge as the flock of Spearow mercilessly continued to attack it.

"Pikachu, watch out!" shouted Tristan.

But it was too late, for Pikachu had fallen off the edge, and was falling fast.

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan has he jumped after it.

(Music Cue: Lugia Appears! (as heard in the Japanese version of "Revelation Lugia"))

He managed to catch it a second later, then he threw his Friend Ball.

Chikorita had emerged from the light that shot out of it and landed on a lower ledge of ice.

"Chikorita, use your Vine Whip!"

Just as Tristan and Pikachu fell below the ledge, Chikorita shot two green vines from its bud necklace and managed to grab them just in time.

"Great, Chikorita! Now pull us up!" commanded Tristan.

Chikorita tugged and pulled with all its might as Tristan and Pikachu held on to each other. Eventually, it managed to haul them onto the ledge.

"Awesome job, Chikorita, you saved us," commended Tristan.

Chikorita gave a nod and hopped on Tristan's lap. Suddenly, Chikorita was bathed in a bright white light.

"Whoa, what's going on?" gasped Tristan.

As Chikorita grew in size, its buds were turning into tightly curled leaves, and the leaf on its head had curled back. When the light disappeared, it had a pale yellow body and a nail from each of its feet.

"Chikorita just evolved," said Tristan as he scanned the new Pokémon with its Pokédex.

"Bayleef, the Leaf Pokémon. The evolved form of Chikorita. Bayleef emits a spicy aroma from the leaves around its neck, and its Razor Leaf is extremely powerful."

"Wow, Bayleef, you look pretty powerful, especially after helping us out like that," said Tristan. "Thanks a lot."

"Bay, Bay!" replied Bayleef as it nudged Tristan affectionately.

Suddenly, the ledge of ice they were sitting on began to crack loose.

"Whoa, look out!" cried Tristan.

But it was too late, for the ledge broke off, causing Tristan, Pikachu, and Bayleef to fall off.

"Bayleef's weight must've accidentally caused the ledge to break apart!" said Tristan as he and his Pokémon continued to fall.

They closed their eyes as they braced themselves for the impact.

But just then, a Pokémon with blue plumage swooped down and safely grabbed them in its talons.

(Music Cue: Flying Kairu (Dragonite))

Tristan opened his eyes and saw that he and his Pokémon weren't falling anymore, but instead, flying over the snow and slowly going lower and lower. He saw what had just saved him: the legendary Pokémon Articuno, the same one he'd helped before in Kanto.

"Articuno!" said Tristan excitedly. "Thanks a lot."

Articuno nodded as it flew on.

"Do you remember us?" asked Tristan. "It's been quite a while since we first met you in Fuschia City."

Articuno gave another nod. It was certainly fond of Tristan and Pikachu, especially after it was saved by them there.

"Articuno, you're one of the greatest friends we could ever ask for," said Tristan.

Pikachu and Bayleef agreed.

A short distance away, Hillary and Nurse Joy were still riding in the snowmobile in the hopes of finding Tristan and Pikachu in time.

Suddenly, Hillary saw something approaching from the sky. "Look, up there!"

Nurse Joy stopped the snowmobile as the silhouette approached from the sky. "Do you think that's...?"

"It's Tristan!" said Hillary. "It just has to be!"

And sure enough, as the silhouette flew lower and lower, there, safely in its talons, was Tristan and Pikachu along with his newly evolved Bayleef.

"Tristan! There you are!" said Hillary.

"And look, there's Articuno!" added Nurse Joy.

"Hey, guys!" called Tristan. "Mind if we drop in?"

Articuno descended low enough for Tristan, Pikachu, and Bayleef to land safely on their feet.

"Tristan!" said Hillary as she embraced him. "Thank goodness you're all right. I was worried about you."

"Aw, thanks, sis," replied Tristan. "Actually, we should be thanking Articuno...and Bayleef, of course."

Bayleef nodded in agreement.

"Whoa!" gasped Hillary. "Since when did Chikorita evolve? I sure missed a lot looking for you."

"Bayleef was the one who saved Pikachu and me from falling after it evolved, and then Articuno ended up saving all three of us," explained Tristan. "But it doesn't matter, so long as we get to see our friend Articuno again."

"So, is that the same Articuno we saw near Fuschia City?" asked Hillary. "It's great to see you again!"

(Music Cue: To the Hopeful Sky)

Articuno gave a nod. Then it flapped its wings and rose into the air.

"Thank you, Articuno!" called Tristan and Hillary.

Articuno gave a screech as it flew off and its entire body glistened in the sun.

"What a beautiful Pokémon Articuno is!" said Hillary.

"Yeah, not to mention big, powerful, and majestic," added Tristan.

Hmmm, now where have I heard that before? thought Nurse Joy.

"Just keep following this road, and you should be out of the cold weather," advised Nurse Joy.

"Thanks a lot," replied Tristan.

"Although it was nice to see Articuno again, it'll be nice to get into warmer weather," added Hillary.

Hillary's right, thought Tristan. Thanks to the Silver Wing, I can call any and all of the legendary Pokémon she and I befriended on our journey anytime we need to. And I owe one special legendary Pokémon my gratitude. His Silver Wing glistened in the sunlight.

"Well, Tristan, we'd better get going," said Hilalry. "I'm sure you won't want to miss your next Gym battle in Olivine City, right?"

"Yeah, you're right, sis," agreed Tristan. "Let's go."

And they both turned and waved goodbye to Nurse Joy.

"Bye, guys!" called Nurse Joy. "And be careful out there!"

"We will! Bye now!" replied Tristan and Hillary.

Pikachu and Togepi also said their goodbyes to Nurse Joy as they walked along with their Trainers.

Thanks to the legendary Pokémon Articuno, and Tristan's newly evolved Bayleef, our heroes live to see another day, and many more after that. And as they descend from Snowtop Mountain, Tristan will be able to think of the many adventures that lie ahead as they continue on to Olivine City.

► TO BE CONTINUED